DictionaryAI

tribute

TRIB-yoot/ˈtɹɪbjuːt/

Pluraltributes

Verbtributes, tributing, tributed

8 meanings of tribute

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable or uncountable
    An act, words, or gift that shows you respect or admire someone.

    Like clapping loudly to show someone they did a great job.

    The whole town gathered to pay tribute to the firefighters.

    She wrote a short tribute to her grandmother for the service.

    Similarhomage, salute, accolade, testimonial, honor

    Note
  2. 2
    nouncountable
    A part of a film, book, or song made to honor another work or its creator.

    The director's new movie is a loving tribute to old westerns.

    The last song on the album is a tribute to her favorite singer.

    Similarhomage, nod, salute

    Note
  3. 3
    nouncountable or uncountable
    Money or goods one country must pay to a stronger country to show it has given in.

    The defeated city had to pay tribute to the empire every year.

    Smaller kingdoms sent tribute to the king so he would not attack them.

    Similarlevy, tax

    Note
  4. 4
    noununcountable
    Money or goods a person had to pay to the lord who owned the land they farmed.

    Each peasant family owed tribute to the lord at harvest time.

    The knight paid tribute to his lord in return for the land.

    Similardues, rent, levy

  5. 5
    noununcountable
    Money paid to a criminal so they will not hurt you or your business.

    Like a bully who only leaves you alone if you give him your lunch money.

    Local shops paid tribute to the gang to keep their windows intact.

    He refused to hand over any tribute to the men who ran the docks.

    Similarprotection

  6. 6
    noununcountable
    A share of the ore a miner digs up, or its value, given to them as pay.

    The miners worked for tribute instead of a fixed wage.

    Each man's tribute depended on how much rich ore he brought up.

    Note
  7. 7
    verbtransitive
    To give money or goods to a ruler or lord as a required payment.

    Each year the villagers must tribute a share of their harvest to the crown.

    The conquered town tributed gold and silver to its new rulers.

    Similarpay, render

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 8
    noun
    Short for cum tribute. A vulgar internet slang word that people do not use in normal talk.

Practice

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Origin

It came from Latin tributum, meaning "a thing paid," from a word that meant "to assign or allot."